Dyeing-machine.



PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905.

J. A. WILLARD.

DYEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1904.

Maiaww NITED STATES Patented June 27, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. WILLARD, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO VACUUM DYEING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHATTANOOGA, TEN- NESSEE, A CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

DYElNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,488, dated June 27, 1905.

Application filed September 9, 1904:. Serial No. 223,889.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, J AMES A. WILLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dyeing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dyeing-machines; and the object thereof is to dye, wash, and fix the dyestuffs upon the material being operated on while it is submerged at all times without coming in contact with the air and until the color has been set and made fast or permanent.

The invention further aims to provide a dyeing-machine for the purpose set forth with new and novel means for removing the dyed or washed material from the vat in which the material was operated upon.

The invention further aims to construct a machine for dyeing raw stock, Wool, and simi lar material which is so constructed that after the material has been compressed so as to be operated upon it will be securely held in its compressed condition.

The invention further aims to construct a dyeing-machine which shall be simple in its construction, strong, durable, efiicient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and particularly pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout both views, and in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a dyeingmachine constructed in accordance with this invention, and Fig. 2 is an elevation of a modified means for elevating and lowering the material-supporting plate.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 denotes an open vat adapted to contain the dye liquor and the material to be operated upon, and said vat is provided in its bottom with an opening, in which extends the d ye-liquor-su ppl y pipe 2, which communicates with any suitable means for forcing the dye liquor through said pipe 2 and into and through the vat 1. Above the mouth of the pipe 2 a deflector 3 for the dye liquor is provided, said deflector 3 causing the dye liquor to be dispersed throughout the bottom of the vat, so that it will be forced through various portions of the material and not through that portion which would be over the mouth of the pipe if the deflector was not interposed in the manner as set forth. The vat 1 is further provided with an outlet-opening, in which extends one end of a suction-pipe 4, the latter communicating with a means for withdrawing the dye liquor from the vat 1 and then forcing it through the supply-pipe 2 to the vat 1. The vat 1 has connected to the bottom thereof a steam-pipe 5 for heating the dye liquor, said steam-pipe 5 opening directly into the bottom of the vat 1, or the same may be provided with a perforated continuation adapted to rest upon ciprocated through the medium of anaotuating-lever 10, pivoted at one end, as at 11, to said rod 7, and at its other end fixed, as at 12, to a piston 13, which operates in asteam,

air, or hydraulic cylinder 14. The lever intermediate its ends is slotted, as at 15, and at such point mounted upon a fulcrum 16, carried by any suitable support 17.

Operating in the vat 1 is a removable perforated compression-plate 18, retained in position so as to compress the material through the medium of aseries of locking-dogs 19, only one of them being shown. Each of the locking-dogs is provided with an opening through which extends a rod 20, fixedly secured at its lower end, as at 21, to the vat 1. Each of the rods is slotted, and through the slot extends a wedge 22, engaging the upper portion of the dog 19 for fixedly retaining it in position when it is desired to hold the compression-plate within the vat 1 after the material has been compressed. The plate 15 may beprovided with any suitable means for connecting it with a hoisting device to remove said plate 18 from within the vat 1 after the locking-dogs have been released. If desired, the plate 18 can be adjustably hinged to the top of the vat, so that the same can be swung from Within the vat when occasion requires.

The perforated plate 6 has secured to its lower face an annular depending supporting member angular in cross-section and which is indicated by the reference character 22. Said member rests upon the upper face of the bottom of the vat 1 and forms when the plate 6 is in position an auxiliary dye-liquor-receiving chamber. The vat 1 is mounted upon a plurality of supports 23.

In the modified form of elevating and low-- ering means shown in Fig. 2 the cushioningcylinder 9, lever 10, and cylinder 14 are dispensed with, and the lifting-rod 7 forms a the bottom of the vat.

part .of or is connected directly with the piston of a hydraulic, steam, or air cylinder 24:.

The operation of the machine constructed in accordance with this invention is as follows: The plate 6 being elevated above the top of the vat and the material placed thereon, the said plate 6 is lowered within the vat until the supporting member 22 rests upon The plate 18 is placed in position and the material compressed. After the material has been compressed through the medium of the heavy plate 18 the same is retained in position by swinging the dogs 19 to engage the plate 18 and the locking of the dogs in their engaging position by driving the wedges 22 home. The dyeliquor is then run into the vat through the medium of the pipe 2, and the material is completely submerged by the quantity of dye liquor fed to the vat. Steam is then admitted through the pipe 5, and the dye liquor is brought to a proper temperature. The means for drawing off and supplying the dye liquor is then set into operation, and the dye liquor is drawn off through the pipe 4 and returned to the vat through the pipe 2; but it will be stated that the quantity of dye liquor is 'such that its level during the time that the circulating operation is carried on will never fall below the top of the material. Consequently the material during the dyeing operation will never come in contact with the air, which it is evident will prevent oxidation. After the material has been properly dyed it is washed by circulating water through the pipes 2 and 4: into and from the vat 1. After the material has been washed the plate 18 is removed by any suitable means, and to the cylinder 14: or 24 steam, air, or water is supplied, which will vertically move the lifting-rod 7 thereby elevating the plate 6, with the material thereon, the upward movement of the plate 6 being to above the top of the vat 1. The treated material is then removed from the plate 6 and a new mass of material placed thereon.

1n some instances it has been found advantageous to detachably connect the plate 6 with the lifting-rod 7, so that when the plate 6 is lifted out of the machine through the medium of the rod 7 it can be detached from said rod and transported by any suitable means to any point desired, and the treated material removed from said plate 6, and anew mass for treatment placed thereon.

In some instances it has been found advantageous to move the bottom plate toward the top plate to express the dye liquor from the material if the material has not been compressed to a substantially solid mass.

Although the plate 18 is termed a compression top plate, yet it is nothing more than a foraminous cover for the vat, and although the element 6 has been termed a perforated material-supporting plate, yet it is nothing more than a foraminous supplemental bottom for the vat on which the material to be dyed is supported.

It is thought the many advantages of the dyeing machine constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, can be readily understood, and it will, furthermore, be evident that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the details of construction as herein shown and described, but reserve the right to make such changes, alterations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A dyeing-machine involving a vat, a removable perforated top plate for said vat, a vertically-movable perforated supported plate operated in said vat and adapted to support the material to be operated upon, means communicating With said vat for circulating dye liquor therethrough, a lifting-rod for vertically moving the supporting-plate, a lever connected with said rod for reciprocating" it, and means connected with the lever for actuating it.

In testimony whereofl have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscrlbing W1t IO nesses.

JAMES A. WILLARD.

Witnesses:

L. B. LooKWooD, S. M. POSTLETHWAITE. 

